FiiO FT3 Review - Too Good to be True?

Get the FT3 from here (1): bit.ly/3p0qDdJ
Get the FT3 from here (2): bit.ly/3P6DENE
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:39 - Unboxing Experience
02:17 - Build Quality
03:27 - Tech Inside them
04:18 - Sensitivity & Power Requirements
06:44 - Tonality
08:49 - Dynamics & Transients
10:12 - Soundstage
11:41 - Bass
12:43 - Midrange
13:43 - Treble
14:53- Detailed FT3 Measurements
15:45 - My Conclusions
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Desktop headphones I’m using:
🎧 Hifiman Susvara: bit.ly/3a39pm2
🎧 Hifiman HE1000SE: bit.ly/3gwkXRW
🎧 Hifiman Arya Stealth: bit.ly/3HORBss
🎧 Audeze LCD-5: bit.ly/3nb5KbD
🎧 Audeze LCD-4: bit.ly/35LFYAK
🎧 Kennerton Rognir: bit.ly/3zD1IxT
🎧 Meze Elite: bit.ly/3RPojys
🎧 Erzetich Phobos V2021: bit.ly/3HMWBhf
🎧 Sennheiser HD800S: amzn.to/3T5FX2J
🎧 Sendy Peacock: bit.ly/3EyZxQf
🎧 Apos Caspian: bit.ly/3nab1QO
Wireless headphones I’m using:
🎧 Sennheiser Momentum 4: amzn.to/3CodrCc
🎧 Sony WH1000XM5: amzn.to/3RUfQKu
🎧 Apple AirPods Max: amzn.to/3rGHQqr
IEMs I’m using:
👂 7Hz Timeless: bit.ly/3q7RNgm
👂 Meze Rai Penta: bit.ly/3j2EhVa
👂 FiiO FH9: bit.ly/3zSWka5
👂 FiiO FH7S: bit.ly/3fYOgi9
👂 FiiO FD7: bit.ly/3nEqw4h
Loudspeakers I’m using:
🔊 KEF Reference 3: amzn.to/3qZKbMm
🔊 Natural Sound NS17: bit.ly/2TuUXx3
🔊 Sound Of Eden Crescendo UNO: bit.ly/3f5jO1X
Integrated/Power Amps I’m using:
💪 Chord Electronics Ultima 5: amzn.to/3CLWVxi
💪 Burson Timekeeper 3X GT: amzn.to/3Ext5hm
💪 Benchmark AHB2: amzn.to/37jcR9M
💪 Topping LA90: bit.ly/3SPThbj
Best DACs I tried so far (in no particular order):
🥇 Gustard R26 Discrete: bit.ly/3TemlZP
🥇 Gustard X26 PRO: bit.ly/2ORB7Ko
🥇 Chord Electronics DAVE: amzn.to/3Tbs2aY
🥇 Denafrips Terminator Plus: bit.ly/3rLr35m
🥇 Rockna Wavelight: bit.ly/3hD33xl
🥇 Audiobyte HydraVox: bit.ly/2VXJjZM
🥇 Musician Aquarius: bit.ly/2U9qwwT
🥇 Matrix Audio Element X2: bit.ly/3Eryerb
🥇 Matrix Audio X-Sabre 3: bit.ly/34oBFyG
🥇 SMSL VMV D2: bit.ly/3q9lIF7
Best Mid-Fi DACs:
🥈 Gustard X18: bit.ly/3CMcJ2W
🥈 Gold Note DS-10 Plus: bit.ly/3f7pYie
🥈 Topping D90SE: bit.ly/3gC5FcO
🥈 Musician Pegasus: bit.ly/2OvCOgn
🥈 Matrix Mini-i Pro 3: bit.ly/3t97FkN
🥈 SMSL SU-10: bit.ly/3Eq9jEm
🥈 SMSL VMV D1SE: bit.ly/3nbaTjT
🥈 SMSL M500 MKIII: bit.ly/3yvztl8
🥈 Soncoz SGD1: bit.ly/36IUQ5r
Best Entry-Level DACs:
🥉 Gustard X16: bit.ly/3SQr6ZL
🥉 Topping D30 PRO: bit.ly/3taPWcE
🥉 Topping E50: bit.ly/3q9e6CE
🥉 Topping D10S: bit.ly/3r1hWNh
🥉 SMSL DO200 MKII: bit.ly/3elkZO4
🥉 SMSL SU-9N: bit.ly/32U7qj3
🥉 Soncoz LA-QXD1: bit.ly/3gf8ONt
Best DAC + Headphone Amp combos:
🎶 Burson Conductor 3X GT: amzn.to/2xcfSKx
🎶 FiiO K9 PRO: bit.ly/3ejKRd3
🎶 Topping DX7 PRO+: bit.ly/3rH6siH
🎶 xDuoo XA-10: bit.ly/39UsS7K
Best Headphone amps:
💣Trafomatic Primavera: bit.ly/3Co8wAZ
💣Trafomatic Head2: bit.ly/3VdNrC1
💣Enleum AMP-23R: bit.ly/3CV2QQN
💣Ferrum OOR + Hypsos: bit.ly/3tbjNSn
💣Burson Soloist 3X GT: bit.ly/3q7nrus
💣Flux Lab Acoustics Volot: bit.ly/3fJegep
💣Benchmark HPA4: bit.ly/2xb6hn5
💣Sparkos Labs Aries: bit.ly/2xcOps1
💣SMSL SP400: bit.ly/3sAUEO2
💣Topping A90 Discrete: bit.ly/2YBwCnZ
💣Singxer SA-1: bit.ly/3eI6aCC
Best USB Dongles & Bluetooth DAC/Amps & Portable DAC/Amps:
📱 Chord Mojo2: amzn.to/3fWXYkM
📱 FiiO BTR7: bit.ly/3fJUhij
📱 Shanling UA5: bit.ly/3yuksQR
📱 xDuoo Poke II: bit.ly/3CIewWO
📱 Topping G5: bit.ly/3Evjs2p
Best DAPs:
🎵 FiiO M17: bit.ly/34pgo84
🎵 FiiO M11 Plus: bit.ly/3Ew0l8K
🎵 Shanling M9: bit.ly/3r4swDh
🎵 Shanling M7: bit.ly/3I9rldH
🎵 Shanling M6 Ultra: bit.ly/3RXGsKQ
🎵 Hiby RS6: bit.ly/3t9mUKw
🎵 Hiby RS5 MKII: bit.ly/3KSqiyE
🎵 Hiby RS2: bit.ly/3EgakPb
These are my honest opinions in different categories. Some of them are affiliated links that help me manage this KZbin channel at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
#fiio #ft3 #review

[@Flavius7]

I just don't understand how FiiO can sell this for 300, it's a miracle. The quality build is fantastic and I happen to love the cups design with that stylish shuriken. I'd get a pair just for that. The feeling is great and accessories are almost high end. Too bad the pads are a bit on the small size for my ears, otherwise this model would be KING for this price bracket. The sound is clean and detailed, no disturbing or lacking frequencies. Sandu is 100% spot on when he says those work way better with a tube amp, best match ever. If you own an OTL under 500 definitely try these... REALLY LIKED THEM!👍👍

[@emilianpredescu3477]

I was expecting this product for a long time. About time for FiiO to release a desktop headphone. And what a beauty it turned out to be, love the carrying case! Cable is also very good quality and sound is balanced and clear, better focused then the 600 line from Sennheiser imho. Got one and couldn't be happier. Thanks, Sandu, thanks, FiiO!

[@asan1050]

SoundNews!..Thanks Much!..

[@deangrande7002]

thank you, great review! 👍🏻🙌🏼

[@kanegforce3974]

great review

[@olegyamleq7796]

Great review, thanks. FIIO make some amazing stuff. not surprised these are great!!!!

[@Hijynx87]

I like how they don’t leak too much sound, but you can still hear your surroundings enough in case someone is calling for you or your phone goes off. Also this is fantastic for movies and gaming. Nice and dynamic.

[@jeffhernandez5098]

As a few here have said, the pads are just too small for my ears. Too uncomfortable to wear for more than about 30 minutes. With a 60mm driver, I would have expected the cups themselves to be a bit larger to accommodate larger pads. For this reason alone, I will be returning them. I really like the sound but I disagree that they sound the best with tubes. My primary playback system is the Musician Drago R2R ladder DAC and the Cayin HA-3A amplifier. My secondary system is the SMSL M400 DAC with a Schiit Jot2 amplifier. I also use a FiiO M11 Plus Ltd DAP. One the primary system they headphones sound too soft. They have no "edge" to the notes and a lot of midrange bloat. I put on the pleather pads and it improved somewhat but still not very good. Plug them into a solid state amp and they really come alive. Sounded great on the secondary system and the M11. I would definitely keep them if they were more comfortable for me.

[@esariasesarias3793]

If this is a silver award what would be gold award?

[@avavaviv1]

Did you try Hiby Hiby FC4? It has good power for a dongle

[@revan.3994]

How would these 350 Ohm compare to the 32 Ohm version in terms of sensitivity and power requirements?... especially for portable setups?

[@kawmic7]

What about if you use them with quad dac powered LG phones?

[@Hijynx87]

I just got my pair! I didn’t try it yet but I just broke out the btr7!

[@Hijynx87]

Works great with the btr7 in case anyone wants to know how it went. Use 4.4 and turn on boost balanced mode. 🤘🏻

[@Hetsu..]

Would you say this would be ok with the dx9? You said op-amps wouldnt be a good pairing, so idk

[@danielfuentes8997]

Con un fijo m11s como suenan?

[@cynicalprogram1665]

How do they work with the HiBy R6 III?

[@Hijynx87]

I hope I made the right choice, it was this or a hole in my wallet for a 109 pro. I just purchased the penon 10th anniversary iem, so I decided to get the fiio lol.

[@Hijynx87]

So I don’t have a desktop amp/dac (other than a soundblaster g6/btr7 in usb mode/qudelix 5k usb mode) for about $200 what would you recommend for this and my edition xs? Or should I be good with what I’ve got already? I was thinking fiio k7 or topping dx3 pro? Or jds hevi stack

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

Fiio K7 is a solid choice, plenty of power.

[@Anon-One]

Just use the G6.???

[@jackfein8914]

I use fiio K7 not Q. 2 watts with 32 ohm load and 560 milliwatts with 300 ohm load. Do you think thats good? Thanks

[@Hijynx87]

Yea that’s more than enough. The k7 is a desktop unit. You can even run these on a btr7 or qudelix 5k fine.

[@jinraigami3349]

@@Hijynx87 Even when it is a 35Ohm headphone?

[@danadirectmarketing]

Thank you... how would you compare these to the Sundara in terms of stage, etc?

[@Hijynx87]

From what I’ve read the fiio is one of the better staged headphones out there. I don’t have a sundara, but I have an edition xs. I’m not sure how similar they are as far as staging though, but I did just get my ft3 in the mail today.

[@labaningombam8556]

​@@Hijynx87 hey, i know it's been a while, but how did you find the FT3 vs Edition XS?

[@Hijynx87]

@@labaningombam8556 ft3 is a good balanced headphone with a Harmon tuning (Harmon headphone tuning, not the iem dry pinna boosted midbass lacking Harmon) the xs has much more of a wow factor in the treble. I barely use either of them though, I just prefer in ears mainly for convenience sake and sound preference. The xs isn’t going to fit everyone though, if you have a small head forget it unless you mod them with dekoni nuggets or a strap.

[@Hijynx87]

@@labaningombam8556 both can be driven with a btr7 in 4.4 with boost balance mode(350mw/32ohm) just fine, but will scale with more power.

[@kozulich]

Do these work well with the FIIO R7?

[@Hijynx87]

I’d imagine it would be a good pairing. They work on the btr7 just fine with a lot of headroom.

[@BigBoss-kk8hq]

How do they pair with tubes?

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

Amazing superior with a tube amp

[@Maj0rTac0]

I got the white variant it looks great! This ca s is perfect on my tube amp from #Felixaudio the echo 2

[@AhmadGhaziA]

You sound so quite then the music so loud. Shocked in my earbuds. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Criticalmaze]

You can knock someone out with these. They seem to be built to throw around 😅